Licorice Gourami (Group of 5)

The Licorice Gourami is a beautiful species but requires low-pH water (under 7.0 would be fine) and is only one inch in size. This fish can be kept with other fish that can tolerate low pH and cannot be in the same aquarium as larger, aggressive fish. These gourami are wild-caught in ponds in Indonesia, and many come in and out of the trade as new ponds are discovered and old ponds are paved over. Unfortunately. But they are active breeders, and there are many in the wild.

The colors vary on these small creatures, depending on the pond in which they are caught.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: These are blackwater fish: they need very soft, acidic water, dim lighting, a gentle filter and lots of plants and leaf litter. Peat or Indian almond leaves help tint and soften the water. Keep a lid on the tank and leave a gap of air above the water, since gouramis breathe from the surface and warm, humid air protects their labyrinth organ. Change small amounts of water often rather than large amounts at once.

Feeding: Offer small live and frozen foods like baby brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworms. Many will learn to take fine flake or micro pellets once settled. Feed small amounts once or twice a day.

Tankmates: Keep them only with tiny, gentle fish that like the same soft, acidic water, such as small rasboras and pygmy corydoras. Avoid anything boisterous or larger.

Good to know: Wild-caught licorice gouramis may ignore flake at first. Offer live or frozen baby brine shrimp, daphnia and microworms until they settle in.